04/22/13: D-FW sports chat with columnist Rick Gosselin

Rick Gosselin joins us at 11 a.m., but ask your questions now and he will have them when he arrives. Thanks for your readership!

by SportsDayDFW4/22/2013 12:09:31 PM

Welcome back to the chat room. Big week in Cowboys land -- another chance to make a quantum leap as a franchise with six draft picks. The Cowboys need to find starters -- and that's starters plural -- this week. So let's get started...

by Rick Gosselin4/22/2013 4:00:05 PM

Going to Chicago, best place to enjoy a fine steak?

by Craig4/22/2013 4:00:10 PM

Last time I was there in August, I dined at Ditka's. Also been to Ditka's in Pittsburgh. I'm a fan of the place.

by Rick Gosselin4/22/2013 4:00:37 PM

I know you have been saying draft OL, OL, OL in the first three rounds. I remember in 2000 they took a similar approach but with cornerback, because they were desperate and they ended up with garbage. Wouldn't they still be better off going for best player available, with strong lean towards OL (or DL, which they need as well)? Like if the best OL available when they come to pick in the first has a 2nd round grade, but there is a DL available with a first round grade, shouldn't they go DL? I always thought drafting for a position got you in trouble and they proved that in 2000.

by KDS4/22/2013 4:00:48 PM

I still believe the top priority is to upgrade the offensive line. It's a very deep draft for offensive line. But with the first overall pick, I wouldn't force it. There will be options in the second, third and fourth rounds. If my choice at 18 is the sixth best offensive lineman or the best safety, I'll take the best safety. You can never go wrong selecting the best player on your board. The strength of the NY Giants was their defensive line in 2010. That didn't prevent the Giants from taking Jason Pierre-Paul. Brett Favre still had plenty left in the tank in 2005 but that didn't prevent the Packers from using their first pick on Aaron Rodgers. Both franchises are better off now because of those selections. A strength today may be a weakness tomorrow. It's imperative that the Cowboys address their offensive line. But I wouldn't force it in the first round. There were starters along the offensive line drafted in the second, third and fourth rounds last April.

by Rick Gosselin4/22/2013 4:06:19 PM

Will you be posting your mock draft?

by Rod Bower4/22/2013 4:06:29 PM

No mocks this year. In my new capacity as a columnist, I don't have the time to research the top 500 players like I had in years past. So I don't have the depth and feel of drafts any more to post a credible mock. I've been busy covering baseball, soccer, NASCAR, the Mavericks and Stars this spring.

by Rick Gosselin4/22/2013 4:07:46 PM

Do you miss doing the draft or had it become tiresome after so many years?

by Devin4/22/2013 4:07:50 PM

I miss the draft. During my 20 years as an NFL columnist, I had more fun on the beat in March and April than in September and October. Championship teams are built in April. The fun for me was talking to all 32 teams and knowing the top 500 players. When a team took a player in the fifth or sixth round, I knew that player and what that team saw in him. But it was time to turn the page on that chapter in my life. I still miss it, but new professional challenges were awaiting me.

by Rick Gosselin4/22/2013 4:10:03 PM

What would you look for first if you were in charge of the Mavericks' draft?

by Deandra4/22/2013 4:10:16 PM

Point guard. That guy handles the ball more than any other player and I'd like someone there I could trust. If Trey Burke fell to the Mavericks in this draft, that would be a terrific break.

by Rick Gosselin4/22/2013 4:11:28 PM

Should the Rangers be looking to trade to add to the rotation or do you think these guys can hold the fort?

by Steven4/22/2013 4:11:47 PM

I wouldn't jump the gun on a trade. The Rangers have developed some quality young arms. Pitchers like Robbie Ross and Tanner Scheppers have become dependable arms out of the bullpen at a very young age. Let's see what the Rangers have in Tepesch and Grimm, and hopefully they can hold the fort until Colby Lewis and Matt Harrison can return. I don't think the Rangers will fall out of the race in April or May. This team heats up when the weather heats up. If the Rangers are struggling in June, I'd study my trade options. But not until then. The Rangers have made a strong investment in young pitching in the Jon Daniels era. Let's see what they've got.

by Rick Gosselin4/22/2013 4:14:59 PM

Do you see Josh Hamilton erupting pretty soon? Worried this will be his breakout series.

by Stephanie4/22/2013 4:15:04 PM

The only thing holding Josh Hamilton back is Josh Hamilton. He needs to develop some patience. He needs to start taking some pitches and letting some of those lazy hooks float out of the strike zone for balls. He's never seen a slow curve he didn't like. He really misses Clint Hurdle. If Josh Hamilton can develop some discipline at the plate and make pitchers throw strikes, he can again be a threat in the middle of a batting order. But if he's going to keep swinging at bad pitches, he's going to continue to struggle.

by Rick Gosselin4/22/2013 4:17:36 PM

i think dt/de abry jones from georgia could be a steal in the 4th rd. much like geno atkins in 2010 for the cowboys. what's your take?

With so many needs on OL and DL, you would be okay with Dallas taking a saftey in the first round?

by Big Kev4/22/2013 4:20:07 PM

If he's the best player, yes. Safety also is a glaring need, unless your OK with one starter who specializes in special teams and another starter coming off an Achilles injury. DBs in particular have an issue with Achilles' injuries because of all the backpedaling they do in coverage. Kevin Smith never really made it back from his Achilles as a dynamic player. OL, DT and safety all would address a glaring need in the first round.

by Rick Gosselin4/22/2013 4:22:36 PM

Of course I'm on board with drafting OL early and often but one position think is being overlooked is FB. Thought Murray was better when has a good lead man. Too many times 47 got blown up and besides bad OLine play he was to blame in the ineffective run game. The 2nd Skins game comes to mind lot of plays were over before they started. If he's there I would look hard at Harvard FB Kyle Juszczyk. He decleated some LBs at senior bowl week plus has unbelievable hands and can play TE in a pinch. Think his versatility would help run game and add another weapon for Romo, either lined up in the backfield or in the slot or 2nd/3rd TE. Think would be a perfect fit in Dallas for their 5th or 6th round pick depending where he is on their board. Thoughts?

by Todd4/22/2013 4:23:03 PM

Fullbacks are becoming dinosaurs with all the passing in today's NFL. Some teams don't even have true fullbacks on the roster. They use their second or third TE in situations where they need a lead blocker. I doubt fullback is on the short list of draft needs. The Cowboys have only six picks and need a couple offensive linemen, a DT, a safety, another CB, another WR, another RB.

by Rick Gosselin4/22/2013 4:25:16 PM

Where could dallas select a bigger pass rushing DE like margus hunt, william gholston, or devin taylor?... who do yo like?

by Andrew4/22/2013 4:25:55 PM

The draft is so deep in OL and DL, there should be a good option for a pass rusher in each of the first three rounds. The same with OL and safety. Those are the three areas of strength in this draft and they just happen to dovetail with the needs of the Cowboys. I'd be disappointed if the Cowboys use their first three picks on players who did not compete for starting positions as rookies. The deeper you go into a draft, the better options you'll have. The choice may be OL or safety in the first round. In the second round, there will likely be quality players available at OL, S, pass rusher and RB. You can incorporate WR and TEs into the mix in the third.

by Rick Gosselin4/22/2013 4:29:18 PM

what's your take on ol. who might need some time to develop like lsu's chris faulk or florida's xavier nixon in the later rd.s for cowboys.

by joe4/22/2013 4:31:16 PM

Jason Garrett doesn't have time to develop offensive linemen. The Cowboys need to show marked improvement for Garrett to stay on the job in 2014. He needs impact players in this draft. The Cowboys have only six picks and most of them need to be game-ready. If I had an abundance picks like San Francisco, I'd feel better about taking a developmental player or two at the back end of the draft. But if Garrett drafts developmental players this week, he'll be developing them for the next coaching staff.

by Rick Gosselin4/22/2013 4:31:38 PM

Do you think all 5 of the top OL will be gone by #18?

by Big Kev4/22/2013 4:31:42 PM

Very strong possibility. The surprising this is that the top two guards could clear the board by then. Historically, the first guard general goes in the 20s. There have only been a combined four guards taken in the first round in the last two years. There could be three in the first round this year. The top guard in last year's draft went at 24 (DeCastro). The top guard in 2011 went at 23 (Watkins). So for the Cowboys to miss out on both Cooper and Warmack at 18 would be monumental.

by Rick Gosselin4/22/2013 4:34:18 PM

Whose future do you like more? The Cowboys or the Stars?

by Big Kev4/22/2013 4:34:19 PM

Stars. I like teams that play their youth. They provide you a future. The Stars are playing and finding themselves quite competitive with their youth. Alex Chiasson, Reilly Smith and Matt Frasor are giving themselves futures with this franchise in addition to a present.

by Rick Gosselin4/22/2013 4:35:25 PM

Can Jerry move back and still get Fluker?

by Display Name:daVIDJRJR4/22/2013 4:35:33 PM

Very likely. I think the only way he moves back, though, is if the top five OL and top 2 safeties are gone. I wouldn't be adverse to adding extra picks. Right now the needs of this team are many and the picks are few. But only if those seven players have cleared the board. I've never been a fan of trading down for the sake of trading down. The Cowboys have done that too often in the past and the strategy has continued to backfire on them.

by Rick Gosselin4/22/2013 4:37:27 PM

Rick,I like rb Leveon Bell Mich St in the 3rd for the cowboys ,what rb you pick in the 3rd??

by cowboy hat 19784/22/2013 4:37:35 PM

I like Bell. I like his inside ability and I think that's an element the Cowboys can use more of. He's not a speed back, which is why he'll be available in the middle rounds. You can find quality running backs in every round. Alfred Morris was a sixth rounder last season and he wound up in the Pro Bowl with a 1,600-yard season. The Eagles found Bryce Brown in the seventh round and he had a 100-yard game as a rookie coming off the bench for LeSean McCoy.

by Rick Gosselin4/22/2013 4:40:26 PM

if the cowboys trade down say with minn. 23/25 and draft tank carradine de. would that be good value.

by joe4/22/2013 4:40:44 PM

I think the reason Minnesota would trade up would be to get a chance at WR Tavon Austin and I don't think the 18th pick would get it done. Not with the Rams drafting 16th.

by Rick Gosselin4/22/2013 4:42:25 PM

Do you think it's a coincidence or not that C.J. Wilson never seems to pitch against the Rangers anymore?

by Marvin4/22/2013 4:42:44 PM

The Rangers know Wilson and his pitching strategy probably better than any pitcher in the American League. The Rangers developed Wilson into an All-Star pitcher. They know what he can and can't do, what he likes and dislikes in situations. That probably has as much to do with Wilson's struggles as the Rangers as any pressing he may do on his part.

by Rick Gosselin4/22/2013 4:44:13 PM

Arkin - 3rd round bust? How do we hear nothing from a guy on a a team in dire need of ol - especially at guard

by tg4/22/2013 4:44:28 PM

Who knows if he can play or not? In 32 career games he's been deactivated 27 times and never played a snap in the five games he suited up. The idea when you draft a player is to find out if he can play, You do that by putting him on the field. Until Arkin steps onto the field, I have no idea whether he can play nor not. The Cowboys drafted Stephen Peterman in the third round in 2004 and suited him up for only three games in his first two seasons. They cut him and he went on to start 86 games over the next seven seasons for the Detroit Lions. If you don't put them on the field, you never find out about them.

by Rick Gosselin4/22/2013 4:48:08 PM

I keep thinking that now is the time to trade Demarcus Ware. I love him, but the fact is, he only has a few more productive years left, most likely. Better to trade him before he has no value than wait to long. The Patriots do this all the time and it one of the reasons they just reload and not rebuild. You just know the Raiders (or some other bad organization) would fork over a first and a third him. Plus would help tremendously on the future salary cap. But I know what you are going to say. Jerry will want him to be a Cowboy for life, no matter if it is not the best thing for the team.

by KDS4/22/2013 4:48:25 PM

DeMarcus Ware is the best defensive player on this team. Why would you ask your best defensive player to learn a new position and a new scheme at 31 years of age? I'd have continued using the 3-4 until Ware was no longer in his prime. The trend in the NFL is to get rid of players in their 30s. But the Cowboys embrace them. Ware, Witten, Ratliff and Romo were given contract extensions this offseason that will squeeze the Cowboys against the salary cap in future seasons. This is the same path the Cowboys took in the 1990s. They played their old guys until they all ran out of gas. If you never learn from your mistakes, you're doomed to repeat them.

by Rick Gosselin4/22/2013 4:51:47 PM

Making first trip to Jerry...tell me what I need to incorporate into trip. Thanks

by Jerry4/22/2013 4:52:10 PM

Plenty of plastic. It's a palace -- and this palace is a very expensive one. You're going to pay for the privilege of being there. There's no better football stadium in America, though.

by Rick Gosselin4/22/2013 4:53:28 PM

Do you think both of the first round safties have more value than the DT's like Richardson or Williams?

by Big Kev4/22/2013 4:53:47 PM

With all these positions, I think the run will dictate value. If a safety goes in the top 10 or 12, that will drive up the stock of the other one. If a guard goes in the Top 10, that will drive up the value of the second one. If three pass rushers go in the Top 5 or 6, that will drive the other pass rushers up the board. We saw that at QB in 2011. When Jake Locker went at 8, the draft stock Blaine Gabbert and Christian Ponder shot through the roof. Rule of thumb, though -- defensive tackles have more value than safeties. Baltimore & San Francisco proved big people win games.

by Rick Gosselin4/22/2013 4:57:22 PM

Time to go. I've got to go shoot a draft special for SportsDay on Air this afternoon. Stephen Jones and David Moore will join me and the show will be broadcast on FoxSports Southwest tonight. Hope you can all watch. I look forward to chatting next Monday after the draft...